Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 988

Minhyuk pondered deeply about it.

He had already extended the seed’s planting and harvest period by two years. He even tried to reduce the effects to 40% before creating the skill. But it still failed.

‘It seems like I’m just really unlucky today.’

He could tell that everything was already within the range where the system could accept the skill's creation. But because he had grown highly impatient, he looked over a lot of things.

‘If the effects had lowered to 40% and it would take two years for me to harvest the ingredients, then there’s no advantage to getting this skill.’

Perhaps it would only have one merit. That was because he could taste the ingredients he could never forget in two years. But the opportunity to create a Food God’s skill was very precious. Instead of lowering the effects and wasting this opportunity, he concluded he should think of another way.

“If today is unlucky, let’s change it so it’s lucky.”

If the effect were more than 80%, then the system would refuse the creation of the skill no matter how lucky Minhyuk was. This was because the effects were far too outstanding for just “one skill” to have. However, after thinking about it, he realized that many external factors affected farming.

If the rainy season lasted for quite a long time during that year, the crops they would harvest would be of poorer quality and a little less delicious than usual. On the other hand, the crops would not be able to grow if the sun's heat was too intense and there was no rain.

A sparkle appeared in Minhyuk’s eyes as he began to tap away and add new things to the hologram screen.

“Tears of the Sun. This is one of the treasures of the Ashga Royal Family. From what I heard, it can provide the optimal heat to grow crops within an area within a one-kilometer radius.”

The Ashga Royal Family was one of the few seeking to maintain a friendly relationship with the Beyond the Heavens Empire. They would be willing to give this treasure.

After all, the Tears of the Sun could only cover an area within a one-kilometer radius. It was determined that this treasure had no significant effect besides making the crops grow more delicious. It was not a very important treasure. However, things would be different if Minhyuk applied it here.

Minhyuk drew the Tears of the Sun in the hologram. The red jewel, the Tears of the Sun, was the perfect item to provide sunlight for the crops. It floated in the sky and helped the crops grow better.

Then, the second one.

“Hyemin’sDaddy and Roadol. There’s nothing that the two cannot make if they are together.”

Hyemin’sDaddy was the best blacksmith, and Roadol was an outstanding building contractor. Working together, they could create a greenhouse that would remain sturdy and safe even if a typhoon came.

“Then, we will install sprinklers inside the greenhouse. These sprinklers will spray water at set intervals and ensure the crops can grow excellently.”

But that was not all.

“If I use the water from the Aenes River, then the effects will be doubled.”

The Aenes River was a tourist attraction in every kingdom. Everyone knew using its waters when farming could boost crop growth and quality.

Minhyuk drew the sprinklers, applied the waters of the Aenes River to the hologram, and then added another one.

‘A fertile land.’

It did not matter what seeds were planted or how hard one farmed; if seeds were planted on barren land, they would not be able to harvest good crops. On the other hand, seeds planted on fertile land could yield good ingredients.

Minhyuk had already requested Rhoando to give him the most fertile land in Utopia. But Minyhyuk did not stop there. He knew of a way to make this fertile land even better.

“The Great Spirit of the Earth, Rend.”

The Great Spirit of the Earth Rend could make any land fertile. If the effects of the Pickaxe that Can Make Any Land Fertile were also applied, the land would become the world's richest and most fertile.

Then came the final step.

“Once the conditions are met, we can ask the greatest farmer to help us.”

Two farmers appeared on the screen of the hologram. They were none other than Rumble, who was in the form of the baby wolf, and Rend, the Great Spirit of the Earth, standing together with a pickaxe in hand.

The two's harmony and chemistry could be considered highly fantastic. One understood the land best, while the other knew best how to take care of life.

Minhyuk looked at the hologram that he finally completed.

The Tears of the Sun floated above the steel-like greenhouse and bathed everything beneath it with the sun's warmth. Inside the greenhouse, two excellent farmers stood on the fertile land with countless sprinklers.

‘Let’s see. Now…’

Minhyuk tapped on the hologram. He adjusted the effects of the crops he would harvest from 40% to 100%. Considering Rend and Rumble's working together and the rich and fertile land, he adjusted the growth period from two years to only ten months.

“Now, my unlucky day has turned into a lucky day.”

If people saw him, they would probably say that he was too daring to even try and control luck, something a human could not fathom. Of course, Minhyuk could only try to do so because he had the capabilities and met all the conditions.

Minhyuk gulped dryly. ‘Perhaps I will be able to get the skill that I wanted.’

He pressed the create button in the skill creation window with a trembling hand.

[The skill cannot be created.]

Minhyuk felt his heart drop when he heard the notification. However, he quickly calmed down, took a deep breath, and stabilized himself again. Now, he only had one chance left.

However, even if he had only one chance left, Minhyuk did nothing to reduce the growth period or the effects. Why? Because he was confident.

“I have set the best conditions possible.”

He had already created the best conditions for the best skill, so he clicked the create button for the final time.

At the same time.

The Joy Co. Ltd. executives monitoring Minhyuk almost stuck their heads to the monitor as they watched the scene with dry lips. Not long after, letters started to appear on the hologram.

[You have successfully created the skill.]

[The system has started to adjust and tune up the skill that you have created.]

Some of the Joy Co. Ltd. executives wrapped their heads in despair while President Kang Taehoon sighed. And Team Leader Park Minggyu? He looked at the screen in awe.

As for the protagonist of this scene? There was a delighted smile plastered on Minhyuk’s face.

[Please choose a name for the skill.]

Minhyuk pondered the matter deeply. He believed that the people who would obtain a skill similar to this now or in the future would be few and far between.

‘I have opened up a possibility for them.’

There was a chance that even Joy Co. Ltd. did not expect such a skill to emerge. So, Minhyuk made his choice.

“Seeds of Revolution.”

Minhyuk thought that since he could acquire a skill like this today, he could acquire a similar skill someday.

[You have acquired the Active Skill: Seeds of Revolution.]

Minhyuk did not hesitate and immediately checked the details of the skill.

(Seeds of Revolution)

Active Skill

Level: None

Penalty Upon Use: None

Cooldown: Until harvest.

Effects:

•You can choose any cooking ingredient and turn them into seeds.

•The chosen cooking ingredient can be turned into seeds and would not reduce effects or volume produced upon harvest.

•Once the seed has been planted, you can harvest it after ten months.

•The quality of the crop you will produce will depend on how well you can grow your seed. Luck will also play a massive role in this.

•The effects of crops that grow from the seed would have around 60%~100% power compared to the original. This will be dependent on a variety of factors and conditions.

•You can produce three seeds from one ingredient.

•If your planted seed produces a crop with more than 90% of the original’s effect, the number of seeds you can produce from the ingredient will increase by two.

Minhyuk was in awe. ‘This is the skill that I wanted.’

Of course, the system had adjusted and tweaked some parts of the skill that Minhyuk had created. Because of that, the power of the crops produced from the seeds would now swing between 60% and 100%. It would no longer produce a crop with 100% of the effects of the original with absolute certainty. Just like it said in the description, the crop's quality would depend on how well they could grow the seed.

‘In the first place, I never expected that I would be able to plant a hundred seeds all at once. That would be pure greed.’

That would be impossible even if Athenae made the skill and planted it herself. If that was allowed, the balance would be completely broken, and the game would collapse. But if he could harvest a crop with an effect that was 95% or higher, then the number of seeds he could make would increase by two.

From the beginning, Minhyuk knew it would take a long time before his vast and rich field became a reality. But he continued to take one step after another, and his dream of having a field of god-grade ingredients had already started to come true.

Minhyuk immediately used the skill.

[You have chosen the Oppression’s Beef Grilling Set. The Oppression’s Beef Grilling Set will now become a seed.]

[The Oppression’s Beef Grilling Set might have several different parts, but it can produce and create a single seed.]

[Once the harvest period has arrived, you can harvest several parts from the crop growing from this single seed.]

“Kghhk~”

The effects would only be compressed into one, but it was still possible to harvest several parts of a single ingredient in one seed. Immediately after that, a tiny seed appeared on Minhyuk’s palm.

[Oppression’s Beef Grilling Set Seed.]

When Minhyuk clicked on the seed’s information, he found out that the growth period of the seed was only six months. Minhyuk hurriedly put the seed in his inventory. Then, he rubbed his hands together.

‘Now that the seed has been created…’

It was finally time for him to eat. Minhyuk hurriedly prepared to eat beef.

“Oink!”

Beanie was also with him today, and a similar set of ingredients appeared right before Beanie.

Various side dishes appeared as Minhyuk finished all of his preparations. There were several dips, including salt, wasabi, and ssamjang.

Finally, he sat down and began his meal by turning on the heat and allowing the grilling pan to heat up.

“Kgghhk~ Yes, when it comes to beef, it’s best if it’s thick.” Minhyuk sighed in admiration as he placed a huge sirloin on the now-heated grilling pan.

Sizzle–

The cheerful sizzle of the meat danced in Minhyuk’s ears. After a few moments, he flipped the meat on the pan.

Sizzle–

Once the beef had turned golden brown, Minhyuk whipped out the scissors and cut it into cubes. With every cut, juices spilled from the sides of the meat, enough to make his mouth water.

Minhyuk ensured the beef was evenly cooked, leaving it on the grilling pan for a bit more until all the blood had disappeared. Then, he grabbed his chopsticks and picked up a piece.

He gently blew on the still-sizzling oil that covered the meat. Without dipping it in anything, Minhyuk placed the entire piece of sirloin in his mouth. Minhyuk felt the soft texture of the beef the moment he put it in his mouth. The best part? The savory juices of the meat would explode with every bite he made.

“Kghhk…”

“Oiiiiink…”

Beanie was so thrilled. He was even shedding tears as he ate the beef. Of course, the same was true for Minhyuk.

Following Minhyuk, Beanie picked up another piece of beef. But this time, instead of not dipping it in anything, he followed along and dipped the thick piece of sirloin in the wasabi.

Munch, munch–

The rich and flavorful juice of the meat coated his mouth, while the spicy and savory wasabi balanced the flavor. The harmony of flavors made Beanie feel highly delighted.

“Oiiiiink…!”

In an instant, the two pigs(?) demolished the sirloin and the other parts of the set. Finally, they were down to the last part of the set. The last part was none other than the chuck flap tail. Of course, the chuck flap tail was just as thick as the previous parts.

Minhyuk looked at Beanie solemnly. Beanie knew that look in Minhyuk’s eyes. That was right; Beanie knew what he wanted to ask, even if he had not opened his mouth.

“Oiiiiiiink (I’m going for mul naengmyeon).”

Minhyuk nodded in understanding. “A wonderful choice.”

Since Beanie chose the mul naengmyeon, Minhyuk went for the bi bim naengmyeon. He removed both dishes from his inventory.

Beanie immediately grabbed the bowl of mul naengmyeon covered in thin ice and drank the cool and refreshing broth.

“Oiiiiink.”

Beanie’s eyes grew wide at the cold and delicious flavor of the broth. On the other hand, Minhyuk poured a bit of the icy cold broth into his bibim naengmyeon. Then, he quickly mixed the yolk of the egg with the rest of the sauce.

Swoosh, swoosh–

Once he was done mixing, the softest and most delicious part of beef, the chuck flap tail, was also done cooking. Of course, Minhyuk had to try it as it was first.

“Kihyaaa!”

“Oiiiiiink!”

Then, Minhyuk grabbed a thick piece of chuck flap tail and dropped it on his bibim naengmyeon. He used the meat as a wrap and wrapped the noodles together before putting everything in his mouth.

“Sluuuuuuuuurp!”

The spicy and sweet bibim naengmyeon and the thick and soft chuck flap tail met in his mouth and created a fantastic harmony of flavors.

This time, Minhyuk put a piece of the chuck flap tail in his mouth before taking a huge sip of the broth of the bibim naengmyeon. The spiciness of the bibim naengmyeon perfectly captured and balanced the greasiness of the beef.

“Fuwaaaa…!”

“Oiiiink…”

I’m finally alive! Even if the two did not say anything, it was obvious that those were the words that they were thinking just by looking at their expressions alone.

After he finished his meal, a series of notifications rang in Minhyuk’s ears.

[You have eaten the Oppression’s Beef Grilling Set.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[All of your stats have increased by 4.5%.]

[All of your skills’ proficiency levels have increased by 50%.]

[Your chosen skill’s proficiency level has increased by 30%.]

[Your divine power has increased by 5%.]

The effects were very satisfying.

Minhyuk looked at the Oppression’s Beef Grilling Set Seed, sitting silently inside his inventory.

‘What ingredients should I plant next time?’

Of course, there was a high chance that the ingredients that he would obtain later would be much worse than those in Oppression’s Beef Grilling Set. But that did not matter. At the very least, he would be able to plant ingredients that would be far superior to ordinary God-grade ingredients.

While Minhyuk was thinking about what ingredients he should obtain, a whisper from Godly Editory Carron arrived.

[Carron: I think we should start filming the Battle God’s advertisement video soon, no?]